The defender injured his ankle in the 2-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup on Monday night, leaving Old Trafford on crutches after the clash.

PLAYER RATING V REAL MADRID | PHIL JONES

Continues to prove his credentials as an accomplished defensive specialist, sitting in midfield with Carrick and anticipating and snuffing out Real Madrid counterattacks. Seems to be increasingly gaining the trust of his manager.

The Scot admitted at the time that he could miss their Premier League game with QPR on Saturday, and has now stated he may not recover in time to face Jose Mourinho's side on March 5.

He told reporters: "Phil Jones is the one we're concerned about for the Real Madrid game. We're working hard on it and I'd say he has an outside chance - no more than that.

"We'll have to wait and see if he's fit for the second leg. It's two weeks away. A lot can happen. He's an outside chance, that's all. Other than that, everybody's fit."

Aside from Jones' problem the Red Devils manager should have a virtually full-strength squad to pick from for the league match on Saturday, although Wayne Rooney has also been ruled out of the QPR clash.

"We have a problem picking teams at the moment but that's where we want to be," he continued. "QPR are fighting for survival and we know it's going to be a hard game.